Discover, Explore, Connect

At Secreto Travel, you’ll find tips for special trips that I plan or participate in, mostly motorcycle tours, and sometimes hiking adventures.

Important: I am not a tour operator. I join organized trips run by other providers. I simply share tips and personal recommendations for journeys that excite me and invite other women to join if they feel inspired.

Anyone interested receives all the information from me and can reserve a spot on the trip through me. However, billing and official arrangements are handled directly by the tour provider. I do not manage bookings or logistics. My role is simply to bring like-minded women together to share the same adventure.

This often creates small, inspiring groups of women who may not have known each other before and who become friends along the way.

Because I want to create a space where women can explore themselves, grow stronger, and inspire one another. A space rooted in genuine female empowerment.

My intention is to lead by example and to encourage other women to go after their own dreams and adventures, and to live them fully.

Especially on motorcycle trips, it matters to me to show how uniquely women push their boundaries and find the courage to go beyond what they thought possible. In an all-female group, the dynamics change completely: in the way we ride, learn, share experiences, and face our fears. There’s a kind of energy that simply doesn’t appear in mixed groups.

I always try to work with local women whenever possible. But in many places, it’s still uncommon for women to take on guiding roles. Especially in the motorcycle world, which is still very male-dominated in many countries, female guides can be rare, so I also collaborate with male guides.

In some regions, having a male guide isn’t just practical but necessary to access certain routes, travel through specific areas, or respect local cultural rules.

Africa is often portrayed in the media through stories of violence, natural disasters, or disease. Most of that, however, has little to do with the regions we’ll actually be traveling through.

Just like in any popular destination, there can be petty crime such as pickpocketing or phone theft. With a few simple precautions like keeping your wallet and phone secure, not leaving valuables unattended, the risk becomes very manageable.

I also ask for a bit of patience with Africa: not everything is always available right away, sometimes things take a little longer, and there may be the occasional power cut or unstable Wi-Fi. But the warmth, calmness, and genuine kindness of the people make up for all of that.

Visa requirements change rapidly. For detailed and up-to-date information, please refer to the Foreign Office’s travel and safety advisories of your country. In general, you need a passport valid for at least 6 months from the start of your journey with sufficient blank pages.

Please find an overview with the key information:

Mozambique:
For entry into Mozambique for tourism purposes lasting up to 30 days, the following citizens no longer require a visa:

-Belgium
-Canada
-China
-Denmark
-Germany
-Ivory Coast
-Finland
-France
-Ghana
-Indonesia
-Irland
-Israel
-Italy
-Japan
-Portugal
-Norway
-Netherlands
-Russian Federation
-Saudi Arabia
-Senegal
-Singapore
-South Korea
-Spain
-Sweden
-Switzerland
-Ukraine
-United Kingdom
-United Arab Emirates
-United States of America

Travellers must be able to show a return ticket and accommodation upon request by border officials. Additionally, a fee of 650 MZN (approximately 10 USD) is levied. For more information refer to: https://www.embassymozambique.se/Visa_Requirements.html

Eswatini:
German citizens do not require a visa for entry for tourism purposes lasting up to 30 days. An entry stamp is issued upon arrival. A passport valid for at least 3 months with a minimum of 2 free pages for stamps is required.

All visitors must have passports with a minimum validity of 3 months. Tourists from Commonwealth countries, including EU nations, Japan, and the USA, do not need visas to visit Eswatini. 

Please refer to your countrie’s foreign office for more information.

South Africa:
German citizens and many other (EU) countries generally do not need a visa for tourist stays. A visitor’s visa is granted on arrival for a planned stay of up to a maximum of 90 days for German citizens. A valid passport with two free pages for entry and exit stamps is required.

The list of all the countries on the visa exemption list: http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/immigration-services/exempt-countries.

Since November 2022, an online customs declaration (Customs Online Traveller Declaration) must be submitted. The process is simple and can be completed through SARS (South African Revenue Service): https://www.sars.gov.za/travellerdeclaration/

Please refer to your countrie’s foreign office for more information.

Namibia:
From 1 April 2025, German and many other nationals will require a valid visa to enter Namibia for tourism purposes. The visa is issued with a validity of 30 days and generally allows multiple entries (“multiple entry”). After entry, the visa can be extended up to 90 days per year at the Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs.

For the online visa application, please use the official link provided by the Foreign Office of your country.

The following visa application options will be available:

“Visa on Arrival” as an online visa (E-Visa): The Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs recommends applying for the visa online as an e-visa before traveling.

“Visa on Arrival” upon entry: Information on visa issuance upon arrival and the border crossings where this is possible can be found in the factsheet of the Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs.

Visa application at the Namibian Embassy of your country.

Medical care in many parts of Africa can’t be directly compared to what we’re used to in Europe. In some regions, equipment, staffing, technical resources, and hygiene standards may be limited.

In smaller towns, you’ll often find only basic pharmacies that carry medication for common issues. Clinics and hospitals may not meet European standards, and specialists, as well as reliable surgical facilities, are usually available only in larger cities or capital areas.

If you have a chronic condition or need regular medication, it’s essential to bring enough of it from home.

For any trip to Africa, I recommend having international health insurance that includes emergency repatriation, as well as bringing your own small medical kit. For motorcycle trips, international health insurance is mandatory.

You can always find detailed and up-to-date information about the medical situation in specific countries on the website of your foreign office.

Tropical regions include countries like Mozambique, Uganda, Eswatini, Malawi, and Botswana.

It’s recommended to have your routine vaccinations up to date, including polio. It also makes sense to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B.

Please check the current guidance on malaria prophylaxis. In some areas, malaria is a year-round risk. In the evenings, it’s a good idea to wear long sleeves and use mosquito repellent suitable for tropical regions.

You’ll find detailed and up-to-date information on vaccinations and malaria on the website of your foreign office or through a travel medicine specialist of your choice.

Food availability in many African countries depends a lot on the season, the region, and local conditions. Some countries offer a wide range of supermarkets and international cuisine, while others are more simple and shaped by local food traditions.

In Namibia and South Africa, the overall selection is quite broad. Supermarkets are well stocked, and restaurants serve everything from international dishes to local specialties.

A big part of the food culture is the traditional braai – a kind of grilling or BBQ that’s deeply rooted in everyday life. Because of this, many dishes are quite meat-heavy, especially beef, lamb, and game.

Vegetarian or vegan options do exist, but the variety is often limited, especially outside major cities like Cape Town, Johannesburg, or Windhoek.

In Mozambique, the food offering is generally simpler and more local. Many products are seasonal and not available everywhere. Small shops often take the place of large supermarkets, so the selection can be more modest.

Fresh fruit, vegetables, and fish are mostly found at local markets, which gives the cuisine a very natural feel. Eating vegetarian or vegan is possible, but the choices are fairly limited. Many traditional dishes revolve around rice, beans, or matapa which is a cassava leaf dish similar to spinach.

For the trips I invite women to join, a solid basic level of fitness is important. Many days can be physically demanding, whether it’s spending several hours on a motorcycle over rough terrain, going on longer hikes, doing water-based activities, or simply dealing with the heat, which can be much more intense in some African regions than what you may be used to in Europe.

You should know your body well, stay hydrated, protect yourself from the sun, wear the right clothing, and trust yourself to step out of your comfort zone from time to time.

Motorcycle travel also requires mental strength: patience with yourself, the willingness to keep going, and the ability to stay calm when things get challenging.
And yes falling from a bike happens. It’s okay. You’re not alone. We support each other, help each other up, and grow through these moments together.

Most importantly, come with an open mindset, be flexible, and be ready for new experiences.

For the motorcycle trips I take part in, you should have a normal to good level of basic fitness. It’s not about performance or pushing limits. It’s about being able to ride for several hours with enough focus and without feeling overwhelmed.

It’s helpful if you already have some off-road experience or if you treat yourself to a training session beforehand to feel more confident technically. The more comfortable you are on the bike, the more relaxed your trip will be.

The routes I choose vary a lot: sometimes it’s mostly tarmac, sometimes gravel or sandy passages. Many routes work well for off-road beginners, while others require a bit more practice. I describe the general conditions for each tour so you can assess whether it’s a good fit for you.

What matters most is being honest about your skill level, communicating openly, and listening to your gut.
And of course, you’ll need a valid motorcycle license to join.

You’ll need to bring your own protective gear, including a helmet and boots that fit you perfectly. Riding without proper protection excludes you from participating. Safety isn’t optional.

You will need:

Helmet:
Ideally a cross/enduro helmet with a sun peak and a mirrored visor, or a fully sealing motorcycle-grade pair of sunglasses. These helmets offer good ventilation, which really helps because off-road riding makes you sweat.

Boots:
Enduro or motocross boots that go up to just below the knee.

Protective gear:

• Knee protection
• Elbow protection
• Back and chest protector
• Shoulder protection
• Hip protection
• Gloves

Your protective gear should either be integrated into your clothing or fit comfortably over/under it. It’s important that you can move freely and that your clothing is breathable.

Layering (“onion style”) for dirt, gravel, and off-road tours:

• Motorcycle pants (e.g., enduro pants)
• A light, breathable shirt
• A fleece layer for colder regions
• A motorcycle jacket or windbreaker for cool weather
• A buff/tube scarf for dust and sun protection
• High motorcycle socks

Leather gear is not suitable for off-road tours (it’s not breathable enough). On tarmac-only tours, it’s fine. When in doubt, get advice from a professional motorcycle gear outfitter.

I work with local partners, and each of them offers different insurance policies.
Some tours include full insurance coverage for the motorcycle, while others have an excess between €1,000 and €2,000 that you would need to cover in case of damage.

Ideally, you should have your own personal accident and liability insurance that includes motorcycle riding and is valid worldwide.

Please also make sure your travel health insurance covers medical transport and repatriation. Distances to the nearest hospital can be long.

Personal accident and travel health insurance doesn’t automatically cover diving, so make sure this activity is explicitly included in your policy.

You’ll usually be asked to complete a health questionnaire on site. In some places, a medical diving clearance is required. It’s best to do this examination before your trip. Ask your general practitioner or look up which doctors in your area offer diving medical checks.
Once completed, you’ll receive a “fit-to-dive” certificate and this is mandatory for joining courses. And of course, being able to swim is essential.

Safety always comes first:
Shallow reefs usually start at around 2–5 meters (beginner dives). At most dive sites, advanced dives go down to a maximum of 30 meters. Deeper dives are avoided for safety reasons to prevent decompression dives. Decompression chambers aren’t always available for example, Mozambique doesn’t have one. The nearest chamber is in South Africa.